Visitor Visa - B2

So I decided that I too want to get a US Visit done. Had reffered to this website quite lot before my interview and hence thought of giving something back by sharing my experience with the people out there.

This is going to be pretty comprehensive and ill try to cover all event's which I thought were important.

Lets begin !

04th July (Coincidence ;-p) : Completed the DS160 form by myself from start to finish. This is most important step in the Visa process. You need to be honest with what you write in this form. This is what the VO will refer to while interviewing you. Also, you cannot download a copy of this form once submitted. Hence please remember what you write (which should not be a problem if you writing the truth and you are filling the form by yourself). One word of advice...you DO NOT need an agent for this. The process is extremely simple and anyone with basic computer knowledge can do it. It is a good idea to NOT have an agent do it for you. This will not only save money, but also boost your confidence about the content of the form. After submitting the form online, I took the 2 appointments, 1 for biometric capture and form verification at VAC amd 2nd for the Visa interview. Bear in mind, you will get the VAC appointment almost immediately, but there is a 45-50 day lag for the actual appointment. Hence plan your travel accordingly. To be safe, keep your travel date 20-25 days post your Visa interview date and then plan backward..

23rd August: VAC appointment (1245 Hrs)
I reached the venue at 1215 hours. Documents required here are your current passport, DS160 confirmation page and appointment confirmation page with Visa fee payment details. No other document is required here. I was allowed inside as soon I reached there. No electronices, Mobile, bags etc are allowed in the VAC. There is a locker facility being offered by an pvt firm which you may use. It is right next to the VAC. They also offer internet and printing service at exorbitant rates :)
Once I cleared the security, my DS160 was checked by one of the VAC agents. My form my perfect, but had one correction. Since I do not have a surname, I had mentioned my full name in the surname section and written FNU in Given name. The lady said that it needs to be the other way around. I rushed to the place next door and got the amendments done. Came back again to the VAC security check. Everything was reverified and I was asked to proceed inside. Once in, a barcode with my Consulate appointment details and time was stuck on the back cover of my passport. I was also issued a token number and was asked to wait in a queue. Once my token number appeared on the screen I moved to a counter. The lady asked for my passport and confirmed my identity by asking my full name and DOB. Once that was done, she asked my preferred language and I replied to it as English. I was asked to read out something which was stuck on the counter. It was an Oath which I had to read out. It basically said that everything I have mentioned for this Visa and what I will mention during the interview will be true and if not, I can be arrested for perjury as per US law. Once that was done, the fingerprints were taken and also a photograph was clicked. The process at VAC was now complete. It actually took jus 12-15 for me to come out, around 1240, which was 5 mins before my actual appointment time 😀

24th August: The interview date.I reached the US consulate at 820. My appointment was for 845. Big crowds were already there. Everything was managed properly here as well. No document is checked apart from the sticker which was stuck on my passport. We were asked to keep the passport in our hands. After various security checks and queues I finally reached the interview area. My identity was once again verfied, this time by a American who asked for a fingerprint match and confirmed by DOB and name. I moved into the final queue and waited for my turn. You can actually hear the other people being interviewed and I was panicking because a lot were being rejected under section 214b. My turn came at 940 and here is how the acutal interview went. The consul was an middle aged man. I had observed him for a while, when I was in the queue and he would rarely look up at anyone and would just continue trying. I reached his window and,
VO: Good morning, your passport please.
Me: Handed over. He returned my old passport saying I do not need this one. All my documents were in the folder I was carrying. I said good morning and asked How are you today?
VO: Good, why do you want to go to the US?
Me: I didnt understand what he said as it was all said in one breath. I replied, I am sorry, I didnt get that.
VO: Why do you wish to travel to the US?
ME: Tourism
VO: Where are you going to go?
Me: San Francisco
VO: Flipping through my passport looking at the stamps. You have travelled before?
Me: Yes, twice to UK, twice to Republic of Ireland, Hongkong, Indonesia, Thailand and Dubai. (Valid UK visa till 2020)
VO: Okay,why San Francisco.
Me: Well I had a choice between LA and SFO. I choose SFO as it seems more apt for the time I was looking to spend, ie.more relaxing.. basically more of my kind of place.
VO: Okay. Who is traveling with you?
Me: I am traveling alone.
VO: Why is that?
Me: My wife who works for Emirates is scheduled to attend a training on 5th Oct in Dubai and hence it clashes with my dates. So she unfortunately couldn't apply. Also, my manager has approved me these dates as my leaves and it cannot be changed.
VO: So what? You surely must have some friends here or there who could join you?
Me: No, I prefer to travel alone considering the number of days I have as leaves. Also, I know someone in US who lives in SJ, CL.But I do not want to disturb their schedule as they are working.
VO: Fine. What do you do?
Me: Working as DM with VF since 7 years and 4 months.
VO: How long have you been working? Whats your total experience?
Me: 12+ years
VO: Nodded. Whose paying?
Me: Self sponsored
VO: Tell me about your last 2 travel's outside India?
Me: Travelled to UK in Apr 2018 and to HK in Dec 2017.
VO: Okay. He was typing throughout the interview and finally stopped asking questions. Continued to type for about 10 more seconds and I just stood there looking at him.
VO: Okay Sir, I am approving your Visa. You will help is in 3-5 business days. Kept kept my passport in a box next to him.
Me: Great! Thank you so much and have a great day ahead.Cheers !
 I walked off towards the exit with a wide smile on my face.

The entire interview lasted exactly 45 seconds. At no sstage as I asked to show any document as proof. I checked the CEAC site 30 mins after the interview and the status was Administrative Processing. It moved to Issued on 27th Aug and will be getting the passport tomorrow.

Key points:
1. Fill the DS160 by yourself
2. Dont hire an agent for this visa type as it is not needed at all.
3. Create a good travel history to European countries.
4. Be honest at all stages of process.
5. Smile and be confident during the interview.
6. For visiting visa the category is B2 on DS160
7. Documents play a very minor role here, it is all about the form
and your interview.

Cheers and all the best !!!